Lecture
By Professor Guillermo Méndez
Wed, July 25, 3pm
Teatro Santa Ana
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
50 pesos

Lecture on the Codex Mendoza
By Professor Guillermo Méndez

One of the most fascinating documents of the immediate post-conquest era in Mexico is the Aztec book known as the Codex Mendoza. The codex was commissioned by the first viceroy of New Spain, Antonio de Mendoza. It was made by Aztec scribes in the Aztec style of the early 16th century.

Since the Aztecs had no written language, their books contained only images. Nevertheless they were able to communicate a great deal as the Codex Mendoza reveals. The codex was made at about the same time that San Miguel de Allende was founded, 1541-42.

With a little knowledge it is possible to ‘read’ this document and gain considerable insight into the culture of the reigning indigenous power in central Mexico in the early 16th century. The codex contains sections on the history and conquests of the Aztec kings, the tax or tribute lists of conquered cities, and perhaps most interesting of all, a section on Aztec daily life, including birth ceremonies, marriage rites, child-rearing practices, education, warfare training and moral customs.

The Codex Mendoza is the subject of an illustrated lecture (in English) by retired professor of humanities Guillermo Méndez.

Lecture
Spiritual Wisdom Series
Tues, July 24, 3:30pm
Sala Quetzal
Bibiloteca Pública
Insurgentes 25

Wisdom never hidden
By Rev. Dr. Thomas D. Lynch

Spiritual wisdom is available to all of us daily, regardless of our culture, language or the era in which we live. It comes to us in written form, but also in everyday life experiences that we must discern as lessons. Having the correct mindset and attitude is absolutely critical to hearing and seeing the spiritual wisdom that surrounds us. Lessons are in layers and a person can only understand the deeper levels when he or she has started to develop spiritual awareness.

Next week, we explore the approaching spiritual wisdom with honesty. Those who believe spiritual wisdom is interesting are invited to attend a weekly group discussion on this topic at the Biblioteca. The author of this series will guide the group discussion. For more information, please contact José Luis at the Biblioteca.

Lecture
By Terresa Beck
Fri, July 20, 5pm
Sala Quetzal
Bibiloteca Pública
Insurgentes 25


Urban Self-Sustainable
By Terresa Beck

I would like to share some simple, concrete tips my family and I have discovered to live lightly on the earth. I sincerely hope others will join us in this endeavor. 

With a little creativity, we can all imagine easy ways to reduce or eliminate the use of disposable paper products from our lives. Take a sturdy earth-bag or even a backpack when you shop. Enjoy the feeling of real dishes when you eat or drink! Buy in bulk when possible. A typical paper or plastic bag can be used a dozen times or more.

One of my hobbies is to see how little water it takes to run our household. We’ve managed to cut our water consumption by more than 75 percent by using rainwater creatively during the rainy season. Dishwashing, bathing, gardening and laundering all can be done with conservation in mind.

By nurturing the environment we actually become positive forces for creation. Please join us today at 5pm to learn more and to share your favorite ways to be a part of the change so needed here in San Miguel! Here’s to our increasing awareness of living lightly on Mother Earth.

Terresa Beck naturescradlecollectivo@gmail.com The next Sustainable Living gathering will be July 20 at the Biblioteca Pública.